An Insight into Relationship of Hypertrophied Adenoids & Tonsils and Dentofacial Form

Abstract

Air Passage through nasopharynx and nose is limited by its shape and size. Nasal obstruction & mouth breathing can be caused by multiple factors, one of them being hypertrophied adenoid and tonsils. It is perhaps one of the most widely debated reasons for partial airway obstruction and related respiratory abnormalities. Otolaryngolists are increasingly getting involved in assessment of upper airway obstructions and its effect from an orthodontic perspective. Also, surgical intervention in such cases might not be the best route given the variance of malocclusion across patients. In this paper, we shall review some of the precursors which can serve as indicator for need of surgical and/or orthodontic intervention to reduce the dentofacial abnormalities in cases of hypertrophied adenoid and tonsils. Such precursors can also help in identification of patients' susceptibility to Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Further, we will review the interaction between airway problems and expressed mandibular morphology as documented in historic literature. The article aims to bridge the communication between Orthodontist and medical fraternity by providing a lucid illustration of issues pertaining to obstructive breathing and its implication on craniofacial growth.